Stretching possibilities

[CathyP]

My husband and I will be starting our first Camino in late April 2020, and are excited/nervous! This forum has been a real treasure for us. Thanks! We are regular walkers in our early 60’s, and have, between us, some past & ongoing back issues. To keep flexible and moving, we faithfully follow a daily regimen of stretches and light body weight exercises, mostly using a yoga mat. (We will have an ultralight type of pad with us.) This is our first activity of the day and we usually do a pared-down version before bed. I am wondering if veterans out there can picture this working in some way on a daily basis while on the CF? I’m sure we are not the only ones out there who are in our shoes with this, but it would be cool to be able to picture it a bit more clearly, based on this forum’s wealth of experience! Thank you in advance!

 

[Vacajoe]

You’ll have 15-20 miles of mostly empty trail upon which to stretch every day! . Albergues themselves can be a bit tight, but there’s usually outdoor areas at them to stretch out, plus a great number of village “parks” (don’t expect trees, grass, and ducks!) and rest areas where you can practice your exercises. A few stays even offered specific yoga rooms.

In short, it will work out. No worries.

 

[Sparrow in Texas]

A few years ago I stayed in an albergue where a fellow peregrina, a yoga instructor, led an impromptu stretching "class" in the evening. It was wonderful! Most albergues have some space that could work for a small group to stretch together if you would like to share. Just start and you will attract a following!

 

[jsalt]

Yes, most definitely possible. I shared my little room at the Azofra municipal albergue with another female who spent an hour in the evening doing her stretching stuff, and I woke up in the morning to the same. Didn’t bother me!

 

[Dani7]

I am planning on doing stretches and yoga as well. Curious to know which yoga mat you chose.

 

[SYates]

You will be not alone doing this, no worries, where there is a will there is a space to stretch ;-)
BC SY

 

[Deleted member 43985]

As noted above, surely lots of room to stretch at night however I found myself stopping to stretch mostly during the day. It always felt good to take off the pack and roll the shoulders, hips, etc and in general, shake out the tension before it could build up too much. And of course, a good massage a couple of times along the way never hurts either!!

 

[CathyP]

I am planning on doing stretches and yoga as well. Curious to know which yoga mat you chose.

The pad I am planning to take unless I find a better alternative is linked here. It weighs 14.5 oz.

NEMO Switchback Sleeping Pad | REI Co-op

Rugged, comfortable, versatile and lightweight—hallmarks of a closed-cell design—the NEMO Switchback sleeping pad even has a heat-reflecting film to keep the chill from creeping through.

www.rei.com

 

[Dani7]

The pad I am planning to take unless I find a better alternative is linked here. It weighs 14.5 oz.

NEMO Switchback Sleeping Pad | REI Co-op

Rugged, comfortable, versatile and lightweight—hallmarks of a closed-cell design—the NEMO Switchback sleeping pad even has a heat-reflecting film to keep the chill from creeping through.

www.rei.com

 

[David with new Kit!]

I never bothered stretching or warming up - At least, not until I started getting cramp last year on the CF.
Luckily for me SWMBO was with me and I learned a few stretches from her. Now if I feel a bit cramp coming on I stop and do a few stretches. Never too old to learn a few tricks.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

The pad I am planning to take unless I find a better alternative is linked here. It weighs 14.5 oz.

NEMO Switchback Sleeping Pad | REI Co-op

Rugged, comfortable, versatile and lightweight—hallmarks of a closed-cell design—the NEMO Switchback sleeping pad even has a heat-reflecting film to keep the chill from creeping through.

www.rei.com

That sleeping pad is designed with insulation from ground chill in mind, so it is heavier due to the additional material.

I do not know how much padding you actually need, but at 2.8 ounces, this sleeping pad is a heckuva lot lighter, and more compact for carry.

 

[trecile]

You might have to get more creative in how you do your stretches, but I don't think it's necessary to take a pad.
Check out this bunk bed yoga thread

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/bunk-bed-yoga-to-stay-injury-free-on-your-camino.62392/

 

[Elle Bieling]

You might have to get more creative in how you do your stretches, but I don't think it's necessary to take a pad.
Check out this bunk bed yoga thread

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/bunk-bed-yoga-to-stay-injury-free-on-your-camino.62392/

Thank-you @trecile, I was going to reply with a link to this free resource of mine. But you did it for me!

 

[john newman]

Hi Cathy
You didn’t ask for this piece of advice, but anyway...
If you have back issues requiring stretching it will be more important than ever on the Camino. Day after day in a relatively static position can be very hard on the back in any circumstances so I suggest you continue your routine however well it is accepted by those around you and not matter what the circumstances. Don’t allow social constructs to ruin your Camino.
Buen Camino.
John

 

[marina2174]

I'm a yoga instructor and planning on taking a mat-sized piece of Tyvek. This way I can be grounded, get a little bit of grip and protect myself from gravel or other roadside ouchies. And, it's waterproof so could also serve as an extra bit of coverage during a rainstorm.

DuPont™ Tyvek® | Forward Together™

DuPont™ Tyvek®, a unique nonwoven material made from high-density polyethylene fibers – offers a portfolio of tough, durable sheet products. Tyvek® material combines the performance of paper, film and fabric and thus makes it ideal for a wide range of applications. We believe listening and...

www.dupont.com

 

[longwalker60]

My husband and I will be starting our first Camino in late April 2020, and are excited/nervous! This forum has been a real treasure for us. Thanks! We are regular walkers in our early 60’s, and have, between us, some past & ongoing back issues. To keep flexible and moving, we faithfully follow a daily regimen of stretches and light body weight exercises, mostly using a yoga mat. (We will have an ultralight type of pad with us.) This is our first activity of the day and we usually do a pared-down version before bed. I am wondering if veterans out there can picture this working in some way on a daily basis while on the CF? I’m sure we are not the only ones out there who are in our shoes with this, but it would be cool to be able to picture it a bit more clearly, based on this forum’s wealth of experience! Thank you in advance!

I can tell you one thing, I practiced a light yoga session at the end of the day or first thing in the morning on a few days walking the camino. I believe it will remove your stiffness and soreness and you will be able to face the daily challenge a little bit easier. I did not have the discipline to practice daily, but when I did, I was glad I did. Good luck and Buen Camino.

 

[CathyP]

That sleeping pad is designed with insulation from ground chill in mind, so it is heavier due to the additional material.

I do not know how much padding you actually need, but at 2.8 ounces, this sleeping pad is a heckuva lot lighter, and more compact for carry.

Thank you, Dave, for this suggestion. I will check it out, for sure as we work to balance cushion needed with the weight of the pad. Trying to keep all things lightweight and minimal.

 

[CathyP]

I'm a yoga instructor and planning on taking a mat-sized piece of Tyvek. This way I can be grounded, get a little bit of grip and protect myself from gravel or other roadside ouchies. And, it's waterproof so could also serve as an extra bit of coverage during a rainstorm.

DuPont™ Tyvek® | Forward Together™

DuPont™ Tyvek®, a unique nonwoven material made from high-density polyethylene fibers – offers a portfolio of tough, durable sheet products. Tyvek® material combines the performance of paper, film and fabric and thus makes it ideal for a wide range of applications. We believe listening and...

www.dupont.com

Wow! I had no idea Tyvek had this use. Thanks so much for the suggestion!

 

[CathyP]

You might have to get more creative in how you do your stretches, but I don't think it's necessary to take a pad.
Check out this bunk bed yoga thread

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/bunk-bed-yoga-to-stay-injury-free-on-your-camino.62392/

Thanks for the great link! The stretches look very familiar, and I agree that being creative and flexible will be important.

 

[CathyP]

Thank-you @trecile, I was going to reply with a link to this free resource of mine. But you did it for me!

Thank you very much!

 

[Peregrino andante]

My husband and I will be starting our first Camino in late April 2020, and are excited/nervous! This forum has been a real treasure for us. Thanks! We are regular walkers in our early 60’s, and have, between us, some past & ongoing back issues. To keep flexible and moving, we faithfully follow a daily regimen of stretches and light body weight exercises, mostly using a yoga mat. (We will have an ultralight type of pad with us.) This is our first activity of the day and we usually do a pared-down version before bed. I am wondering if veterans out there can picture this working in some way on a daily basis while on the CF? I’m sure we are not the only ones out there who are in our shoes with this, but it would be cool to be able to picture it a bit more clearly, based on this forum’s wealth of experience! Thank you in advance!

Some people I walked with a few days on the Camino francés always looked for the "Frontón" or ball court that most towns have. They did their stretches there every evening.

 

[CathyP]

What a great idea! Thank you for the suggestion